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11 things you need to know about Gabriel Jesus

OLYMPIC HEROES: Jesus helped Brazil to the Gold medal on their home soil

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has arrived at the City Football Academy but how much do you know about the Brazilian star?

The 19-year-old is arriving from Brazil after a stellar 2016 that included Olympics success and domestic glory with Palmeiras.

Here's everything you should know about our new striker...

Familiar upbringing

After being born in April 1997, Jesus was raised in the favelas of Jardim Peri, in the north zone of the huge city of Sao Paulo.

Street smarts

Like many from the region, he grew up educating himself about the game on the streets but once he was noticed by amateur club Anhanguera his career was kick-started. He then joined the youth set-up at Brazilian giants Palmeiras in 2013.

Crazy numbers

Jesus’ talent came to the attention of all in Brazil when he scored a jaw-dropping 54 goals in 48 games in his first year at the club before 37 goals in 22 U17 Campeonato Paulista games in the next season.

Following his debut for Palmeiras’ first team in March 2015, the teenage sensation scored 19 goals in 41 games playing at the top level of the Brazilian game whereas he currently has five goals in six matches for the Brazilian national team.

Major tournament experience

Gabriel’s Selecao beat the likes of Uruguay and Portugal on the way to the 2015 U20 final before a defeat to Serbia in the New Zealand tournament.

Following that, Jesus was promoted to the first team and was crucial to the nation’s Olympics Gold medal success on their home soil.

Playing with the stars

It’s unlikely that Jesus will be fazed by his new glamorous surroundings in Manchester as the 19-year-old has already played alongside major names in some of the biggest matches in world football.

Jesus has lead the line for Brazil in matches such as the 3-0 thrashing of Argentina in November alongside the likes of Barcelona’s Neymar and Liverpool’s Phillipe Coutinho.

Bringing Palmeiras back to life

Palmeiras are not only one of the biggest clubs in the vast metropolis of Sao Paulo, they are the most successful team in the history of Brazil’s national championship with nine titles.

However, before Jesus’ talent inspired the club to glory in this year’s Serie A, they had not lifted the title since 1994.

Personal accolades

The new City striker’s blistering form during 2015 not only saw his Palmeiras side lift the Copa do Brasil trophy, he was also chosen as the winner of the prestigious ‘Best Newcomer’ award in Brazilian football.

Brazilian excitement

Having been likened to many of the great Brazilian attacking talents of the last decade including Neymar and Robinho, Jesus has really gripped the imagination of the Brazilian public.

The 19-year-old’s form since arriving at the top of the professional game has even attracted the attention of striking legend Ronaldo.

Smoothie ritual

Vera Lucia, Jesus’ mother and biggest fan, ensures she is in communication with her son before every match.

As well as wishing him the best of luck, she insists on checking up that he has polished off her ‘miraculous’ banana and oat smoothie recipe for avoiding cramps.

Hard worker

His determination to impress means that he works just as hard off the ball as on it.

Bruno Petri, his youth coach, said: “He is a boy who is easy to speak with and work with and who is different to the others in training, always giving more than 100 per cent.”

Social media

You can see pictures from Gabriel’s life on his Instagram profile at @dejesusoficial but as his profile says: “Não uso Twitter”.